Romeo and Juliet 

Act Four (study guide) 

 

    ACT FOUR - SCENE ONE

 

    Juliet is no longer the obedient child. The events of the past few days have caused her to mature. With no hope of help from her mother or the nurse she is now taking matters into her own hands. She gives the excuse that since she has displeased her father, she is going to Friar Laurence to confess her sin and be absolved. (Notice how she deals with Paris at the opening of this scene.) Once Paris is gone Juliet pleads with Friar Laurence to help her out of her predicament.

 

    Explain in detail the plan they arrange: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    

 

    ACT FOUR - SCENE TWO

 

    1. What day is it now? __________________________________________________

 

 

    ACT FOUR - SCENE THREE

 

    2. List Juliet's fears as she is about to drink the potion.

 

        A.

 

        B.

 

        C.

 

        D.

 

        E.

 

    ACT FOUR - SCENE FOUR

 

    The Capulets are busy preparing for Juliet's wedding. The Nurse is told to wake Juliet up and get her ready.

 

    ACT FOUR - SCENE FIVE

 

        Explain the dramatic irony in Friar Laurence's speech (lines 65-83) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

                                                                                                                                   

ACT FIVE - SCENE ONE

 

1. How does Romeo's dream, which he describes in his opening speech, compare with the news brought to him by Balthasar? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Conclusion

 

1.  What is poetic justice?  (use the internet as needed for this one): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

2.  Describe the conclusion of the drama and explain how poetic Justice operates in the play. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

3.  What is Romeo and Juliet's tragic flaw? How does it lead to their destruction?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

4.  Identify three themes you notice in Romeo and Juliet: